We love novelty as much as we love tradition — and we really love it when a couple takes a full spectrum approach and creates a wedding day that is unique as their love story. From Bridgerton-worthy decor to vintage bolo ties, Eli and Abby transformed the Governor Thomas Bennett House into a playful yet opulent world of their own. So slip on your favorite pair of Chucks and put your pinkies up because there’s dancing to do and vows to be said!

Climbing the free-floating staircase of the historic Thomas Bennett House, we could hear Abby and her bridesmaids buzzing about in the bridal suite. Abby greeted us with a warm smile and a precious collection of details, including past love letters from her and Eli and a small pendant with a picture of her young and smitten grandmother and grandfather. Enveloped by Southern antiques and intricate crown molding, Abby and her bridesmaids looked like royal court members having a luxurious slumber party. The bridesmaids wore pink and blue toile nightgowns and Abby wore an eyelet white chemise. Admiring Abby’s stellar platinum blonde updo and dazzling blue eyes, the bridesmaids urged her to don her bespoke Vera Wang gown. A vision of poise and elegance, Abby emerged in a lace corset bodice that spilled into a voluminous tulle skirt. We gushed as she twirled, her handmade lace embroidered tulle sleeves adding a dramatic touch of magic and majesty.

Like a flock of angels, the ladies floated down the wrap-around staircase into the historic streets outside the mansion. The bridesmaids imbued summer romance with their blossoming bouquets and floral embroidered dusty blue dresses. Like a Regency period painting, they posed with their sophisticated white parasols above their heads and their regal bride in the center. Ready for a first look with her beloved, Abby met Eli on the second-floor piazza of the mansion. Eli stood facing the thriving garden admiring the abundance of florals the couple had prioritized and envisioned throughout the wedding planning process. Eli looked sharp as a tack in his custom-made tux and vintage satin bow tie. Resisting the temptation to turn around, he felt Abby’s hands in his as she snuggled her face in the back of his neck. A few bridesmaids stole a peek through the window and gushed at the sweet couple. Facing the garden where they would soon be wed, Abby and Eli exchanged loving and supportive words knowing they would soon meet again at the top of the aisle.

The guests in their summer best poured into the enchanting garden, some stopping to sign the sailboat model the couple used as a guest book, a nod to Eli’s time living on the water. The garden hummed with aliveness as the guests took their seats and basked in the floral-rich atmosphere. The trickling three-tiered pineapple fountain was overgrown with tall reaching delphinium and larkspur, and the asymmetrical floral arbor looked like a passage into a fairytale world. The thoughtful couple provided their guests with straw hand fans and stationary scalloped umbrellas by their seats.

The string quartet filled the air with Abby’s favorite orchestral piece from Love Actually, beckoning the procession down the aisle. The groomsmen looked dapper in their bolo ties and the bridesmaids looked precious in their blue hair ribbons handmade by the bride. Honored to be the mother of the bride and flower girl, Abby’s mom tossed petals along the aisle for her daughter’s anticipated arrival. Arm in arm with her father, Abby floated towards Eli with her ethereal blusher veil covering her face. Pausing at the arbor, Abby’s father removed her veil so she could lock eyes with her sweetheart for the first time on their wedding day. The couple filled the oasis with their heartwarming handwritten vows, punctuated by the soulful sound of bagpipes stirring from the balcony. Their officiant and dear friend pronounced them Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson-Greiss (a fusion of their family names!) and they paraded down the aisle ready to have the best night of their lives. 

Exploring the luxuries of cocktail hour, the guests strolled about playing yard games, enjoying craft brews from the beer cart and relaxing on the plush patio furniture. Cooling off with mouth-watering libations, they read their cocktail napkins printed with love letters exchanged by Eli and Abby. The newlyweds changed into their well-loved Tacova cowboy boots and bespoke party clothes. Abby wore a repurposed alteration of her mother’s wedding dress and Eli wore a tartan suit with fringe accents and Abby’s grandfather’s vintage bolo tie. The sweet couple gifted their bridal party members lacey socks and white Chuck Taylor’s so they could tear up the dance floor in comfort and style. Floating around the courtyard looking like rockstars, they hugged their friends and family and gushed at the stunning florals from Fresh by Carryann. Ready to get the party started, the guests found their names on wooden scrolls hung on a towering white seating placard and made their way to the sailcloth tent. 

Inspired by the charms and trends of the couple’s favorite Nashville dive bars, luminious disco balls overgrown with romantic florals were suspended throughout the tent. Nostalgic brown and white picnic linens set with rattan placemats and blue and white toile china made an inviting yet lavish statement. Rainbow florals with delicious perfume flanked the bridal party’s farmhouse table and peach, pink, and lilac petals bloomed from every surface. The atmosphere imbued garden party romance and everyone’s spirit was lifted because of it. Strutting in like the coolest kids on the block, the bridal party poured into the tent showing off their sassiest moves and new Chuck Taylors. The beaming couple followed behind sending a shockwave of excitement throughout the crowd. They kicked off the night with a symphony of tear-jerking and laughter-enducing speeches heralding the couple’s lasting impact on their friends and family. Ready to take to the dance floor like two sweethearts in a modern western indie film, Abby and Eli snuggled in to share a first dance to The Goo Goo Doll’s “Iris.” 

Sated by Southern bites from Home Team BBQ and an immaculate heart shaped gluten-free raspberry and lemon cake (a nod to Abby’s grandmother’s wedding cake), the guests got to movin’ and groovin’. Bizz and Everyday People’s live brass and powerful vocals resounded throughout the garden magnetizing everyone to the dance floor. In their matching dancing shoes the bridesmaids cheered each other on as they showed off their moves. Other guests moseyed about the garden smoking cigars and surveying the irresistible spread of fresh fruit tarts, key lime pie shooters and macaroons. The couple took a second to cool off by visiting the boozy popsicle truck parked outside and returned to the dance floor with bright blue tongues. Savoring every sweet moment, Eli and Abby sang, danced and laughed with all of their favorite people hanging out in a world of their own. Closing the night with a private last dance, they rocked and swayed under the petal embellished disco lights before departing from their garden party wonderland. Met in the streets by their jubilant friends and family, they hopped into the bed of a vintage Ford Bronco and drove off into the night madly in love.

Congratulations to two sweethearts with immaculate taste! We love to see you so happy!

Photography: Kailee DiMeglio Photography   
Venue: Governor Thomas Bennett House 
Planner: Vision in White Events 
Videographer: Shore and Summit 
Hair: Micki Hair Artistry   
Makeup: Galya Makeup Artistry 
Florist: Fresh by Carryann 
Ceremony Music: Charleston Elite Musicians 
Reception Entertainment: Bizz and Everyday People 
Transportation: Whipdash 
Caterer: Home Team BBQ 
Cake: Rise Co. 
Wedding Dress: Vera Wang 
Invitation/Paper Goods: Gates Paper Company 
Rentals: Curated Events   
Mobile Bar: Chugalug 
Specialty Vendors: Charleston Glow Company Sawdust and Sweetgrass Triangle Lawn Game